War Photographer (2001)

Director:

Christian Frei

Release Date:

2001 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | War

Plot:

Documentary about war photographer James Nachtwey, considered by many the greatest war photographer ever. |

Plot Keywords:

Photographer | South Africa | Intifada | Kosovo | New York City New York

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 6 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

James Nachtwey	...	Photographer
Christiane Amanpour	...	Chief International Correspondent CNN
Hans-Hermann Klare	...	Foreign Editor STERN Magazine
Christiane Breustedt	...	Editor in Chief GEO SAISON Magazine
Des Wright	...	Cameraman REUTERS
Denis O'Neill	...	Screenwriter / Jim's Best Friend

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

Switzerland

Language:

English | German

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

France:U | Germany:16 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of the Grisons)

Filming Locations:

Hamburg, Germany

Company:

Christian Frei Filmproductions

Quotes:

James Nachtwey: In a way, if and individual assumes the risk of placing himself in the middle of a war to communicate to the rest of the world what's happening, he's trying to negotiate for peace. Perhaps that's the reason for those in charge of perpetuating the war do not like to have photographers around.

Soundtrack:

Farewell Theme

a world full of voices through the eyes of a silent man

One of the most profound aspect i found in this documentary, is the use of sound. I think it's one of the best, if not most calculated sound editing ever done, since the film supposed to focus on images. It's quite easy to overlook that, and will be forgiven even. But rather, the production teams managed to reflect the personality of James Nachtwey in result. A distant man, watching from a far, though awfully trying to get as near as possible, ... to get involved.

Personally i think, a lot, not all mind you, people misunderstood him. The reviews here reflect that. They might think that he have some personal agendas. Since i believe no people can escape side effects of wars, unless they're the ones who inflict them, i believe James have been greatly changed by his experience, in better or worse terms i have no idea, but he cannot run from it. He has to come back, to experience it all over again, to feel alive. It's vampirism all right, but not from the material, or the moral angle. He simply needs that sense of purpose, to live, and to fulfill his life, with higher aims to reach. I imagined he lost that sense a lot of times, and that must be painful.

For whatever reason he seems to have , it all comes down to this basic human need, to find their purpose, takes the journey and try to fulfill it. This is a reminder of that, for all of us. And for that, i am grateful for this film.